Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 2nd, 2024. In today’s article, we wrap up the week with a nice mix of goodies for you to peruse. Our pal Mikhail has a review for One Piece Odyssey Deluxe Edition to dig into, full of his usual technical details and version comparisons. After that, I guide you through the most interesting titles of today’s new release line-up. We then round things out with the usual lists of new and expiring sales for the day. Let’s get it done!
Reviews & Mini-Views
ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION ($59.99)
Bandai Namco Entertainment is no stranger to doing late ports of games on Switch, but the end results usually vary in quality. We recently had a superlative port of Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown arrive, and fast forward to last week, the RPG from ILCA hit Switch with DLC included as ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION. ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION is one of my favorite games based on the IP, and while it never hit the gameplay highs of One Piece Pirate Warriors 3, I enjoyed it enough to play it on Steam Deck, Xbox, and PS5. I was curious to see how it fared on Nintendo Switch, and the end result is very good.
If you’ve not played ONE PIECE ODYSSEY before, it is a turn-based RPG with an original story that tries to do a good job of appealing to fans of One Piece and newcomers. It almost succeeds in both aspects, but this is definitely a very good anime RPG in general. I don’t recommend it if you’re brand-new to One Piece though, but if you like the characters and played prior games even, this is worth your time, especially with all the DLC included.
ONE PIECE ODYSSEY launched at $59.99 on PC and consoles last year, and it had a Deluxe Edition for $84.99. The Switch version is ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION at $59.99 with an added costume set included making it great value from the get go. If you already played it though, there isn’t anything of note to warrant a full-priced purchase unless you really enjoyed the game and want to replay it. I didn’t play much of the DLC before, so I’ve been checking it out here on Switch.
Visually, the team behind ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION on Switch did a fantastic job making sure the game still looks good given the hardware. Comparing the high end console versions or even the Steam Deck version to Switch highlights the many cutbacks, but it still is a good port that retains the aesthetic while running well. The big cutbacks are foliage, post-processing, draw distance, and textures. The comparison screenshot highlights how different it is even in the performance mode on Xbox Series X compared to Switch.
On the performance side, I enjoyed ONE PIECE ODYSSEY at 30fps on Steam Deck with great visuals already, so the 30fps target wasn’t an issue on Switch. The biggest issues with ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION on Switch are to do with load times. These add up during exploration, combat, and the main load compared to how it fares on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
If you skipped ONE PIECE ODYSSEY on its debut platforms, the Switch version with all DLC included is an easy recommendation for those who like One Piece. The DLC included makes this a better value proposition as well. I enjoyed the game before already, but it was great revisiting it in a very good conversion for Nintendo’s hybrid system. We need more ports like this and Ace Combat 7 from Bandai Namco Entertainment.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
World of Goo 2 ($29.99)
Sometimes sequels take sixteen years. It’s just how it is. And then you think they’re coming, but they need a few more months. World of Goo was an amazingly clever puzzle game that picked up more fans with every platform it was ported to. I think it’s safe to say many people have been waiting for Goo 2, and it seems like that wait is finally over. I haven’t had a chance to play it yet, but the concept is more than robust enough to carry another game’s worth of puzzles, especially with a few new twists thrown in. The game supports multiplayer for up to four players on a single system in case you want to get goopy with others, too.
Aero The Acro-Bat ($5.99)
Look, someone out there misses Aero The Acro-Bat. In the mascot platformer arms race that kicked into overdrive in the 16-bit era, Sunsoft introduced what would become the face of the Western branch of the company for a number of years: Aero The Acro-Bat. The game was obviously a success, as a sequel and spin-off soon followed. This version from Ratalaika gives you the Super NES port of the original game in both Japanese and North American flavors. You get the usual Ratalaika options, but the extras are surprisingly extensive. I’ll be reviewing this one soon, so look forward to that.
Broken Roads ($34.99)
Broken Roads is an RPG with an Australian setting, made by Australians. That’s not something you see… ever, and for that much at least I think there’s some value in this game. At the same time, it’s very rough around the edges. It tries to do a lot more than it seems able to actually accomplish, and in doing that you can see the seams coming apart almost everywhere. If you’re a very forgiving player with a keen interest in trying something with a fresh theme, there might be something in this for you. Otherwise, I regrettably must recommend walking down a less broken road.
Babba Yagga: Woodboy ($15.99)
A weird horror game based on the Baba Yaga legend. You play as a wooden boy who needs to bring some herbs for his mother, a fairly normal task that is interrupted when he runs into the Baba Yaga. Things quickly go awry, as one might expect. Not my kind of thing, so I’ll leave it to you.
Cilla ($6.99)
Here’s a side-scrolling shoot ’em up with some decent pixel-art visuals and somewhat bland gameplay. With how competitive this genre is on the Switch, it’s hard to make much of a case for this game apart from touring the nice backgrounds. But I’m not the king of your piggy bank, so if you want to play it by all means go ahead.
King ‘n Knight ($11.99)
This is a pretty naked homage to Capcom’s Ghouls ‘n Ghosts ‘n Goblins series, so much so that I wasn’t going to include it here until I noticed it has a four-player multiplayer feature. That’s kind of neat. It made me look closer, and there’s definitely more to this than I initially assumed. Lots of enemies, a good amount of stages for this kind of thing, and an upgrade system with lots of different equipment pieces to buy and use. I’m going to have to investigate this one further, but it could be decent.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
If they should bar wars, please let these Star Wars…. stay. Some great prices on Aspyr’s previous Star Wars ports, perhaps in celebration of the new release of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. AEW Fight Forever is at a new low price, along with South Park Snow Day. All those, plus a bunch of indies! There are some decent games in the weekend outbox, but nothing that likely won’t be on sale again pretty soon. Check both lists anyway!
Select New Sales
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed ($6.99 from $19.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars: Republic Commando ($5.24 from $14.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars: Episode I Racer ($5.24 from $14.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars: Jedi Academy ($6.99 from $19.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars: Jedi Outcast ($3.49 from $9.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars: KotOR ($5.24 from $14.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars: KotOR II ($5.24 from $14.99 until 8/5)
Star Wars KotOR Bundle ($8.99 from $29.99 until 8/5)
AEW Fight Forever ($23.99 from $39.99 until 8/15)
AEW Fight Forever Ultimate ($69.99 from $99.99 until 8/15)
FoxyRush ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
Kinduo 2: Frostbite ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
TP Bullet ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
Forrader Hero ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
Zombies, Aliens and Guns ($4.19 from $5.99 until 8/15)
Flower Shop: Winter in Fairbrook ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8/15)
Scheming Through Zombie Apocalypse Ep2 ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
Cyber Citizen Shockman 3 ($4.19 from $5.99 until 8/15)
Super Destronaut Landed x Loaded ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
Orion Haste ($4.19 from $5.99 until 8/15)
Hirilun ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/15)
Risen ($19.49 from $29.99 until 8/15)
Fearmonium ($6.49 from $12.99 until 8/15)
Evil Diary ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
Xatrom Command ($4.19 from $5.99 until 8/15)
One More Dungeon 2 ($10.49 from $14.99 until 8/15)
Unlife ($5.49 from $10.99 until 8/15)
Love Kuesuto ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/15)
SpongeBob SquarePants: Cosmic Shake ($25.99 from $39.99 until 8/15)
Chemically Bonded ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/15)
Biomutant ($29.99 from $39.99 until 8/15)
Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 ($15.99 from $39.99 until 8/15)
South Park Snow Day ($22.49 from $29.99 until 8/15)
South Park Snow Day Deluxe ($34.99 from $49.99 until 8/15)
Crisis Wing ($3.59 from $7.99 until 8/16)
Teratopia ($2.49 from $9.99 until 8/16)
Outer Terror ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8/16)
Gekisou!Benza Race Toilet ($7.80 from $13.00 until 8/16)
Mediterranea Inferno ($5.49 from $9.99 until 8/16)
Clunky Hero ($2.24 from $14.99 until 8/16)
Epic Dumpster Bear 1.5 DX ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/16)
10 Seconds to Win! ($2.99 from $4.99 until 8/16)
Betomis ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/16)
Sword & Fairy Inn 2 ($11.99 from $19.99 until 8/16)
Barn Finders ($4.99 from $19.99 until 8/19)
8-Colors Star Guardians + ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/21)
Attack of the Karens ($2.49 from $4.99 until 8/21)
Goliath Depot ($3.49 from $6.99 until 8/21)
High Seas Saga DX ($6.00 from $12.00 until 8/21)
Pocket Stables ($3.96 from $12.00 until 8/21)
Oh!Edo Towns ($4.62 from $14.00 until 8/21)
Cafe Master Story ($6.00 from $12.00 until 8/21)
Life of Delta ($6.99 from $19.99 until 8/22)
Survivor Castaway Island ($11.99 from $29.99 until 8/22)
Smurfs Kart ($13.99 from $39.99 until 8/22)
You Suck at Parking ($6.79 from $19.99 until 8/22)
Sentimental Death Loop ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/22)
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8/22)
Ultimate Racing 2D 2 ($6.69 from $9.99 until 8/22)
Love on Leave ($12.49 from $24.99 until 8/22)
Hard Racing Stunt Car Driving ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8/22)
Starward Rogue Complete ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/22)
Maid of the Dead ($15.99 from $19.99 until 8/22)
Inkulinati ($17.49 from $24.99 until 8/22)
Pickleball Smash ($7.99 from $39.99 until 8/22)
Bunny Garden ($19.54 from $22.99 until 8/22)
Hero’s Hour ($8.99 from $17.99 until 8/22)
Insurmountable ($18.74 from $24.99 until 8/22)
The Night of the Rabbit ($14.99 from $19.99 until 8/22)
Plantabi Little Garden ($4.54 from $6.99 until 8/22)
A Fragile Mind ($2.99 from $5.99 until 8/22)
Sales Ending This Weekend
#DRIVE ($5.84 from $12.99 until 8/3)
Alchemic Cutie ($8.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX ($2.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Aragami 2 ($9.99 from $39.99 until 8/3)
Aragami: Shadow Edition ($5.99 from $29.99 until 8/3)
Blade Assault ($8.09 from $17.99 until 8/3)
Bladed Fury ($8.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Ever Forward ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Fragment’s Note+ ($5.99 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Fragment’s Note+ AfterStory ($4.39 from 10.99 until 8/3)
Fragment’s Note2+ ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
GINSHA ($12.46 from $17.80 until 8/3)
Good Pizza, Great Pizza ($4.49 from $9.99 until 8/3)
Goodbye World ($9.59 from $11.99 until 8/3)
Guts ‘N Goals ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Hoa ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Ikai ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
Iris.Fall ($8.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Krimson ($7.99 from $9.99 until 8/3)
Monster Harvest ($2.99 from $19.99 until 8/3)
Morbid: The Lords of Ire ($20.99 from $29.99 until 8/3)
MUSYNX ($13.49 from $29.99 until 8/3)
Sparklite ($3.74 from $24.99 until 8/3)
Squish ($6.74 from $14.99 until 8/3)
SUPERBEAT: XONiC ($13.49 from $29.99 until 8/3)
Among Us ($3.00 from $5.00 until 8/4)
Blasphemous 2 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/4)
Broken Sword 5: Serpent’s Curse ($7.49 from $29.99 until 8/4)
Furi ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/4)
Fury Unleashed ($1.99 from $19.99 until 8/4)
Haven ($14.99 from $24.99 until 8/4)
Headbangers: Rhythm Royale ($4.99 from $19.99 until 8/4)
Moving Out ($7.49 from $24.99 until 8/4)
Overcooked All You Can Eat ($15.99 from $39.99 until 8/4)
Regency Solitaire ($2.99 from $11.99 until 8/4)
Sydney Hunter & the Curse of the Mayan ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/4)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more new releases, more sales, more reviews, and some news. I’m starting to get a bit tired of soup, to be honest. Per doctor’s orders I’m on a liquid diet for a week. I would throw all my games in the sea for a cheeseburger right now. Oh well. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!